
US Rejects ICC Arrest Warrants for Israeli Leaders, Citing Lack of Jurisdiction
The United States has rejected the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The warrants, issued for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes, have drawn criticism from the White House, which claims the ICC lacks jurisdiction over the matter.
"We remain deeply concerned by the Prosecutor's rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision," a National Security Council spokesperson stated on Thursday. "The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter."
The ICC also issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, the military chief of Hamas, but the White House statement made no reference to it.
US Criticism of the ICC
Incoming National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, criticized the ICC, describing its actions as biased. "The ICC has no credibility, and these allegations have been refuted by the US government," Waltz wrote on X, promising a strong response to what he termed the "antisemitic bias" of the ICC and the UN.
Republican lawmakers echoed similar sentiments, with calls for the US Senate to impose sanctions on the ICC. The court relies on its member states—currently 124 nations—to enforce arrest warrants, a significant challenge when dealing with individuals from non-member nations like Israel and the US.
Details of the ICC Charges
The ICC accuses Netanyahu and Gallant of crimes committed during the heightened Gaza conflict between October 2023 and May 2024. Mohammed Deif, also targeted by an ICC warrant, was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike in July 2024, though Hamas has not confirmed his death.
Both Israel and the United States have consistently rejected the ICC's authority, arguing that it lacks jurisdiction over their nationals and operations.
Geopolitical Implications
The warrants and subsequent rejection by the US highlight the persistent tensions surrounding the ICC’s role in addressing international conflicts. As debates over accountability and jurisdiction continue, the fallout underscores the divide between supporters and critics of the court’s actions.
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